Microscopic spectrum of the Wilson Dirac operator.

We calculate the leading contribution to the spectral density of the Wilson Dirac operator using chiral perturbation theory where volume and lattice spacing corrections are given by universal scaling functions. We find analytical expressions for the spectral density on the scale of the average level spacing, and introduce a chiral random matrix theory that reproduces these results. Our work opens up a novel approach to the infinite-volume limit of lattice gauge theory at finite lattice spacing and new ways to extract coefficients of Wilson chiral perturbation theory.

Autosomal dominant subcortical gliosis presenting as frontotemporal dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a multigenerational kindred with a frontotemporal dementia clinical syndrome (FTDS), extensive subcortical gliosis pathology, and autosomal dominant genetics. METHODS: Clinical, imaging, and pathologic evaluations of multiple family members. RESULTS: Symptom onset commonly occurred in the fifth or sixth decade, although some kindred members did not develop obvious symptoms until their eighth decade. White matter changes were prominent on both MRI and CT imaging. Results from six brain autopsy evaluations showed consistent but varying degrees of pathology that, while unique, share some histologic similarities with leukodystrophies. These brains were notably devoid of both tau- and ubiquitin-containing inclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Subcortical gliosis in this kindred arises from mutation of a novel gene or else represents a unique frontotemporal dementia clinical syndrome variant caused by mutation of an already known gene. Clinical relevance and research implications are discussed.

Natural coprevalence of Strongwellsea castrans, Cystosporogenes deliaradicae, and Bacillus thuringiensis in the host, Delia radicum.

Adult cabbage root flies (Delia radicum) from three Danish localities were diagnosed microscopically for the natural prevalence of Strongwellsea castrans, Cystosporogenes deliaradicae, and Bacillus thuringiensis. C. deliaradicae was significantly coprevalent with S. castrans. B. thuringiensis sporangia were diagnosed in the hemolymph in two D. radicum which were also infected with S. castrans and proved to belong to serovar aizawai and serovar balearica. The biological characterization of S. castrans proved that at 17.5 degrees C flies developed an abdominal hole 7.9 days (mean) after infection and that 5.7 days (mean) passed from the emergence of the hole to the death of the infected host. No mortality effect among D. radicum subjected to B. thuringiensis serovar aizawai, balearica, and kurstaki isolates was detected. RAPD with DNA proved that six B. thuringiensis serovar balearica isolates (all from the same fly) were indistinguisable. This indicates that proliferation of B. thuringiensis in the abdomen of an S. castrans-infected D. radicum may be due to just one genotype. The profiles of one isolated aizawai strain did not correspond to the profiles of other serovar aizawai strains used for comparison. The biological significance of the interaction between the involved pathogens is discussed.

Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from infections in burn wounds.

Four strains of Bacillus thuringiensis were isolated from infections in burn wounds and from water used in the treatment of burn wounds. The strains produced large parasporal inclusion bodies composed of 141, 83, and 81 kDa protoxins. The four strains were tested for insecticidal activity against larvae of Pieris brassicae and Aedes aegypti but showed no activity; Vero cell assays for the production of enterotoxins were also negative. Attempts to classify the strains according to flagellar H-serotype showed them all to be non-flagellated. Apart from two occupational health accidents that occurred during the handling of highly concentrated B. thuringiensis fluids, this is the first report of B. thuringiensis causing non-gastrointestinal clinical infection in immunosuppressed patients.

Natural occurrence of Bacillus thuringiensis on cabbage foliage and in insects associated with cabbage crops.

Bacillus thuringiensis was isolated from the phylloplane of organically grown cabbage in one field during two growth seasons (1992-93). The frequency of B. thuringiensis varied between 0.02 and 0.67 of the total B. cereus/B. thuringiensis population, with an average of 0.11. Characterization of the B. thuringiensis isolates from foliage showed that the majority (64% of 150 isolates) belonged to serovar kurstaki, had bipyramidal crystals and toxicity towards Pieris brassicae and/or Trichoplusia ni. Other serovars were also found on the foliage but occurred at very low frequencies (one to three isolates of each serovar). Bacillus thuringiensis was also isolated from insects associated with the cabbage crop (Pieris rapae (Lep.), Delia radicum (Dip.), Syrphidae ribesii (Dip.) and Aleochara bilineata (Col.)), which were collected alive at different developmental stages in the same field. Serologically these isolates were assigned to the serovars kurstaki, aizawai, tochigiensis, colmeri and indiana/colmeri.

Enterotoxin-producing strains of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from food.

Strains of Bacillus thuringiensis were isolated from various food items (pasta, pitta bread and milk) and were found to belong to either H-serotype kurstaki or neoleonensis. The strains were bioassayed against Pieris brassicae and insecticidal activity of strains was found to correspond to the presence of the cry1A-gene. All strains, except one, were found to express cytotoxic effects on Vero cells as an indicator of enterotoxin activity. Further, the B. thuringiensis strains HD-1 (serotype kurstaki), NB-125 (serotype tenebrionis) and HD-567 (serotype israelensis ) which are used commercially for insect pest management, were also found to have cytotoxic effects on Vero cells.

Diarrhoeal enterotoxin production by strains of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from commercial Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticides.

Strains of Bacillus cereus and B. thuringiensis were tested by the Tecra VIA kit for the ability to produce a diarrhoeal enterotoxin. The strains of B. thuringiensis were isolated from commercial B. thuringiensis-based insecticides (Bactimos, DiPel, Florbac, FC, Foray 48B, Novodor FC, Turex, VecTobac, XenTari). The production of diarrhoeal enterotoxin varied by a factor of more than 100 among the different strains tested. B. cereus (F4433/73) produced the highest amount of enterotoxin and the B. thuringiensis strain isolated from DiPel the lowest. The products were tested for their content of diarrhoeal enterotoxin and all products, except MVP which does not contain viable B. thuringiensis spores, contained diarrhoeal enterotoxins. The results indicates an potential risk for gastroenteritis outbreak caused by B. thuringiensis.

[Pushing technique in the expulsive phase of labor. A randomized study]. / Presseteknik i uddrivningsfasen. En randomiseret undersøgelse.

Pushing in the expulsive phase of labour can be forced or follow the spontaneous urge to bear down. Recent studies have shown that spontaneous pushing results in a longer second stage, fewer CTG changes, higher pH in the umbilical artery and less damage to the birth canal. In a randomized trial of spontaneous vs. forced pushing in 350 primipareous women, we found no difference between the two randomized groups with regard to the mentioned variables. Sixty-five point six percent allotted to spontaneous pushing used the closed glottis technique for more than half the expulsive phase. When divided into two groups according to the actual pushing technique used most, the women who used the open glottis technique had a shorter second stage of labor and gave birth to infants with lower birth weight. Recommendation to use spontaneous bearing down efforts did not result in fewer complications to the infant or the mother than recommendation of expulsion by the closed glottis technique.

Pushing method in the expulsive phase of labor. A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Pushing in the second stage of labor can be forced or follow the spontaneous urge to bear down. Recent studies have shown that spontaneous pushing results in a longer second stage, fewer CTG changes, higher arterial pH and less damage to the birth canal. METHOD: Randomized trial of spontaneous vs. forced pushing in 350 primiparous women. RESULTS: There was no difference between the randomized groups in duration of second stage of labor, umbilical arterial pH or damage to the birth canal. Of the women allotted to spontaneous pushing, 65.6% used the closed glottis technique for more than half the expulsive phase. When dividing the women into two groups according to the actual pushing technique used most, open or closed glottis, it turned out that women who used the open glottis technique had a shorter second stage of labor and gave birth to infants with lower birth weight. CONCLUSION: Recommending of spontaneous bearing down during the expulsive phase of labor did not result in a significant difference in duration of the second stage of labor, fetal arterial pH or less damage to the birth canal. Women who chose the open glottis technique had a shorter expulsive phase and gave birth to smaller infants than those who used the closed glottis technique.